Combination table and sled.



G. V. MEAGHER. COMBINATION TABLE A-ND SLED. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 27,1912. RENEWED MAY 26, 1913..

1,082,132. Patented Dec.23,1913.

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G. V. MEAGHER.

COMBINATION TABLE AND SLED. APPLICATION IILED JULY 27, 1912. RENEWED MAY 26, 1913. 1,082, 1 32.

Patented Dec; 23, 1913.

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GEORGE V. MEAGI-IER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

COMBINATION TABLE AND SLED.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 23,1913.

Application filed July 27, 1912, Serial No. 711,892. Renewed May 26, 1913. Serial No. 770,085.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE V. MnAonnn,

a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Tables and Sleds, of which the following is a specification, ref erence being had to the accompanying drawings.

Thiswinvention comprehends certain new and useful improvements in combination devices and relates more particularly to combined tables and sleds.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature which may be easily converted from a coasting sled into a table and vice versa.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination table and sled which shall be of extremely simple construction, cheap of manufacture and very durable.

With these and other objects in View, as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts as I shall hereinafter describe and claim.

In the embodiment of my invention I provide a platform to the under side of which are secured a number of supports, which when disposed at right angles, to the same constitute therewith a table and which when positioned parallel to the platform cooperate with the same to form a sled.

For a complete understanding of my invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a side elevation showing my device in position for use as a table, Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same, Fig. 3 is a View taken on the plane of line 33 of Fig. 2, Fig. i is a fragmentary end elevation, Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the device when used as a sled, Fig. 6 is a bot tom plan view of the same, Fig. 7 is a rear elevation, and Fig. 8 is a view taken on the plane of line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates a platform of any suitable shape and formed of any material. The platform is supported by a plurality of supporting members 2 each of which is curved at one end as shown in the drawings and is formed with a longitudinal slot in the other end for the purpose of receiving one end of a cross piece 3. Two of these cross pieces are provided, one for each end of the platform, and each of them has secured adjacent its ends one of the supporting members 2. Each of the cross pieces 3 is hingedly and rotatably secured intermediate its ends to the under side of the platform by means of a hinge 4, which comprises an essentially semi-circular section 5 which is pivotally secured to a bearing plate 6 countersunk in the platform, and a rectangular section 7 which is rigidly secured to the cross piece. It will be noted that by thus securing the cross pieces to the platform the supporting members 2 may be swung in a vertical plane and rotated so as to describe a horizontal circle. Hooks 8 having inwardly projecting end portions are secured to the under side of the platform by means of eyebolts 9 through each of which one end of a hook passes and is secured by a nut 10 threaded thereon. The cross pieces 3 are formed with longitudinally extending end opening recesses in their ends which are for the purpose of receiving the free inturned ends of the hooks 8 for the purpose of retaining the supporting members 2 in an upright position relative to the platform 1. The hooks 8 are formed of spring steel and since the manner I have described for securing them to the platform permits only a vertical swinging mot-ion they must be forced laterally outward in order to bring them. into engagement with the sockets formed in the cross pieces 3. Rungs 11 are secured between the front supports and between the rear support-s bracing them and holding their free ends in spaced relationship.

hen my device is to be used as a table it is arranged as shown in Fig. 1, the platform 1 forming the table top and the supporting members 2 forming the legs of the table. To convert the device from a table into a sled it is necessary for the supporting members 2 to be positioned parallel to the platform 1 and in order to do this it is necessary to first release the hooks 8 from engagement with the cross pieces 3. After this has been done that pair of supporting members 2 which is to form the forward part of the sled is swung upwardly and outwardly whereas the rear supports 2 are first rotated through an angle of 180 degrees and then swung upwardly and inwardly. After this has been done the rear supports 2 which form the rear runners of the sled are rigidly fixed in relation to the platform 1 by means of the hooks 8 which are secured in the openings 12 formed in the side of the runners. It will be noted that in order to do this it is necessary to swing the forward hooks rearwardly and the rear hooks forwardly which movements are made possible because of the manner in which the hooks are connected to the platform. If so desired additional bracing means for the rear runners may be provided and comprise the depending pins 13 secured at their upper ends in the under side of the platform 1 and having their lower ends projecting into sockets 14 formed in the top of each of the rear runners. The forward runners are allowed a free turning movement for the purpose of guiding the sled. Each of the supports 2 is provided along one edge and at each end with a metallic shoe 15 which reduces the wear upon the sled runners and also greatly increases the speed at which the sled travels.

It is thought that the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings, will be sufficient to make clear the manner in which my improved combination device is constructed.

I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction and arrangement of parts as herein shown and described but may make such minor changes which may be thought of from time to time and which will fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

hat is claimed is:

l. A device of the class described comprising a rectangular platform, spaced bearing plates countersunk in the underside of said platform upon the line of its longitudinal center, hinges pivotally secured to said hearing plates, a cross piece secured intermediate its ends to each of said hinges, supporting members rigidly secured adjacent the ends of the cross pleces, each of said sup- 1 ortin members bein rovided with a metallic shoe which extends along the inner edge of said member and along both ends of the same, said supporting members being adapted to be positioned either at right angles to the platform or parallel thereto, the inner edges of said supporting members in their first mentioned position forming the bottom edges of the supporting members when in their second mentioned position, and means whereby said supporting members may be fixed either in their upright or horizontal position.

2. A. device of the class described compris ing a platform, bearing plates countersunk in the under side of said platform, hinges pivotally secured to said bearing plates, a cross piece secured intermediate its ends to each of said hinges and formed With longitudinally extending end opening sockets in its ends, supporting members rigidly secured to each of said cross pieces adjacent its ends and adapted to be positioned either at right angles or parallel to said platform and hooks pivotally secured to the under side of said platform and adapted to engage the sockets formed in the cross pieces for the purpose of retaining said supporting members at right angles to the platform, said hooks being also adapted for engagement with openings in certain of said suporting members when said members are disposed in parallel relationship to the platform.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE V. MEAGHER.

Witnesses Jos. J. GUHL, RUDOLPH H. \VITT.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

